Iran, TRACECA explore expansion of transport co-op8/30/2016

TEHRAN- Iranian Transport and Urban Development Minister Abbas Akhoundi and Mircea Ciopraga, the secretary general of the Intergovernmental Commission TRACECA, explored the ways for the expansion of transportation cooperation between Iran and TRACECA members in a Sunday meeting in Tehran.

In the meeting, Akhoundi referred to the logistic role of Iran in the region and expounded upon the country’s plans for development of dry ports, IRNA reported on Monday. A dry port (sometimes inland port) is an inland intermodal terminal directly connected by road or rail to a seaport and operating as a center for the transshipment of sea cargo to inland destinations. The Iranian minister also called on the secretary general of TRACECA to visit Iran’s potentials in the north and south of the country, especially those in the southeastern port of Chabahar. Ciopraga, for his part, put emphasis on the expansion of ties between Iran and TRACECA and while expressing satisfaction over Iran’s condition in the post-sanction time, he called for the more active contribution of the Islamic Republic in TRACECA program. TRACECA (Transport Corridor Europe-Caucasus-Asia) is an international transport program involving the European Union and 14 member states of the Eastern European, Caucasian and Central Asian region.